EFFECT OF PREVIOUS SEASON APPLICATION OF Sisymbrium irio AND Trichoderma harzianum ON GROWTH OF BLACK GRAM IN Macrophomina phaseolina INOCULATED SOIL.

Macrophomina phaseolina is the cause of charcoal rot in green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. A pot experiment was carried out in March 2013 to study the effect of soil amendment with a biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum and dry biomass of a brassicaceous weed Sisymbrium irio on charcoal rot disease of green gram. The present experiment was a continuation of that study and carried out in the same pots in September 2013 to study the effect of the soil amendments on crop growth of black gram. In general, number of leaves, and various root and shoot growth parameters were significantly decreased due to M. phaseolina inoculation. Application of 1, 2 and 3% dry biomass of S. irio or T. harzianum separately failed to alleviate biotic stress of M. phaseolina. However, combined application of 1% dry biomass of S. irio and T. harzianum significantly increased number of leaves by 23% over positive control inoculated only with M. phaseolina. Various parameters of root and shoot growth were also higher in this treatment as compared to other soil amendment treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]